Shirt with reinforced front

ABSTRACT

A fire resistant shirt is described that is constructed from two or more layers of fire resistant fabric strategically located across the front portion of the shirt to protect the torso of the wearer.

This continuation-in-part application claims benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/433,352, filed on Apr. 30, 2009, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/118,888, filed on May2, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a fire resistant shirt having a front thatis reinforced to protect the torso of the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Workers in many industries may be subjected to sudden thermal flashesdirectly toward the front of the workers' bodies. Electrical workers,for example, may experience an electric arc of great thermal intensity.This is particularly damaging to female workers because their brassieresmay ignite outright, or the fabric and underwire melt or burn, causingsevere injury. The traditional market solution has been to requirefemale employees who are exposed to these types of danger to wear abrassiere made of a fire resistant fabric. This solution is problematicfor the employer because such brassieres are expensive and are oftendifficult to fit and procure. This solution also causes problems forfemale employees because these brassieres are made from a fabric havingfire resistant fibers, which is heavier, stiffer, more uncomfortable,and more cumbersome than a female employee's regular brassiere fabric.

Typical fire resistant shirts have an arc thermal performance value(ATPV) between 4.2 and 5.6 calories per square centimeter. The highestscoring shirts that are presently commercially available are made from afire resistant fabric sold under the trademark INDURA ULTRA SOFT®, andweighing 7.0 ounces per square yard. This fabric has an ATPV ofapproximately 8.3 calories per square centimeter, which is desirable forconstructing conventional fire resistant shirts. Conventional shirtsmanufactured from this fabric, however, can be heavy and hot. Heavierclothing, especially clothing made from fire resistant material, tendsto trap heat and result in excessive perspiration (which can conductelectricity), heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or other serious medicalconditions that affect an employee's judgment and dexterity on the job.

Accordingly, there is a need for a fire resistant shirt with aconstruction that provides maximum protection, flexibility, comfort andventilation while still meeting applicable safety standards. There isalso a need for such a fire resistant shirt that provides specializedprotection to females. There is a further need for a fire resistantshirt that is economical to manufacture. Still further, there is a needfor a fire resistant shirt that can be worn without additional garmentsprotecting a wearer's torso. It is to these needs and others that thepresent invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a flame resistant shirt thatprovides necessary protection for a wearer by using two or more layersof fire resistant fabric strategically located across the front of theshirt. The layers or plies of fabric greatly increase the frontalresistance of the shirt to the thermal effects of an electric arc, andprovide significantly more protection than a single ply of fireresistant fabric, with a minimum increase in weight. Two or more pliesof fabric used in accordance with the present invention are especiallybeneficial when applied to the front of the shirt for a number ofreasons. For example, accidents involving electric arcs in worksituations generally occur while an affected employee is working withhis or her hands on a given task, and therefore generally occur in frontof the employee. Infrared energy is the primary heat energy resultingfrom an electric arc. The arc travels in a straight line and generallydoes not affect the back of a shirt. Also, most employees wear arc-ratedgloves that extend to the elbow and often additionally wear full rubbersleeves that extend from the wrists to the top of the shoulders. Theserubber sleeves are held in place with a strap that buckles around theback of the shoulders. The gloves and sleeves leave an unprotected zonefrom the chest to the abdomen of a wearer, leaving a fire resistantshirt as the primary means of protection.

Many arc-rated rubber sleeves and gloves have an ATPV ranging from 25 to100 calories per square centimeter. Thus, the main purpose for wearinglong sleeved shirts under these rubber sleeves and gloves is not foradded protection, but rather for the comfort of the wearer. Constructingthe sleeves from a lighter weight material best suits this purpose.Accordingly, the sleeves of the shirt of the present invention can beconstructed from one or more plies of varying lengths relative to eachother, and the one or more plies can comprise varying materials for thecomfort and safety needs of the wearer. Likewise, the overall length ofthe sleeves can vary to enhance the comfort and safety needs of thewearer. An exemplary embodiment of the shirt in accordance with thepresent invention includes a double layer of fire resistant fabric onthe front panels, and sleeves comprised of a single layer of fireresistant fabric, which allows the wearer to have increased dexterity.

Constructing a fire resistant shirt with two or more layers of fireresistant fabric on the front yields greatly increased protection in thechest/abdomen area with greater breathability and reduced heatretention. This construction also provides a manufacturer with theability to use one or more layers of lighter material in strategic areason the shirt instead of using a heavier-weight fire resistant fabric toconstruct the entire shirt. An exemplary embodiment of the shirt inaccordance with the present invention comprises a single layer of fireresistant fabric used to construct the sleeves and the rear portion ofthe shirt. This construction allows for increased heat ventilation ofthe back and shoulders of the wearer, and reduces the risks associatedwith heat build-up. Alternatively, a manufacturer can strategically usefabric or material with or without fire resistance in various areas onthe shirt that are not likely to encounter a thermal arc.

The shirt in accordance with the present invention facilitates easierenforcement of fire resistant uniform policies, which can be problematicfor an employer of both male and female employees. For example, it isdifficult to ascertain whether a female employee is wearing a NomexIIIA® brassiere or whether a male employee wearing a proper undershirtunderneath a conventional fire resistant shirt. The shirt of the presentinvention can bear a distinctive insignia to allow an employer toreadily determine the shirt's arc rating, and thus determine whether anemployee is compliant with the employer's fire resistant uniformpolicies.

The benefits of the construction of the shirt extend to numerous otherapplications, and the exemplary embodiments described herein are in noway intended to be limited solely to shirts for female wearers, norsolely to the type of sewing construction utilized in the attacheddrawings as being the definitive means of construction. The shirt can beconstructed by other joining or sewing methods known in the art, and byother conventional means of adhesion. By way of example, some drawingsillustrate a double ply construction that includes the entirety of thefront panels, however, the front panels may be constructed of multiplelayers of varying lengths to better accommodate job requirements.

In one embodiment, the front panels comprise first plies of fireresistant fabric extending from the shoulder seams of the front panelsof the shirt to a terminus at the bottom edge of the front portion ofthe shirt. Second plies of fire resistant fabric extend from theshoulder seams of the front panels of the shirt to a terminus locatedabove the bottom edge of the front portion of the shirt. Thisconstruction can reduce the cost of the shirt, and can further reduceheat retention.

These features, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in therelevant art when the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in whichlike reference numerals represent like components throughout the severalviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a shirtof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view from the interior of the shirt at point A ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view from the interior of the shirt at point B ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the shirt of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view from the exterior of the shirt at point A ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view from the exterior of the shirt at point B ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the front portion of analternative embodiment of a shirt in accordance with the presentinvention with the interior side of the shirt facing outward, detailingthe construction of the front portion of a shirt with two plies havingdifferent lengths relative to each other.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofa shirt in accordance with the present invention, showing in phantomlines an alternative construction of the front portion of a shirt withtwo plies having different lengths relative to each other.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofa shirt in accordance with the present invention, showing in phantomlines an alternative construction of the front portion of a shirt withtwo plies having different lengths relative to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the shirt according to the present inventionare shown in FIGS. 1 through 9. With reference to FIG. 1, a shirt 1comprises sleeves 2 a and 2 b, which extend from armholes 3 a and 3 b.There is a collar 4 formed above a neck opening 5. Shoulder seams 6 aand 6 b extend from armholes 3 a and 3 b to the neck opening 5. Leftfront panel 8 and right front panel 7 are each constructed fromtwo-plies of fire resistant fabric. Plies 7 a and 7 b (FIGS. 2 and 3)are stitched together at the neck opening 5 and the shoulder seams 6 aand 6 b, around the armholes 3 a and 3 b, and optionally have a stitchedhem or surged finish at bottom edges 9 and 10. The sleeves 2 a and 2 b,the collar 4, and the back portion 1 b of the shirt are constructed of asingle ply of fire resistant fabric. Two plies of fire resistant fabricare applied in the front panels 7 and 8 only where they are needed forthe safety of the wearer.

In one embodiment, the front portion 1 a of the shirt 1 comprises thetop ply 7 a and the bottom ply 7 b (FIGS. 2 and 3) of fire resistantfabric, each fire resistant fabric ply having an ATPV of greater than4.2 calories per square centimeter. Neck opening 5 is at the top of thefront portion 1 a and a sewn hem is along the bottom edges 9 and 10 ofthe shirt 1. Stitching around the neck opening 5 and along the bottomedges 9 and 10 holds together the two or more plies 7 a and 7 b of fireresistant fabric, which are otherwise continuously unbonded in order toenhance the fire resistant properties of the shirt 1. The front portion1 a further comprises left front panel 8 and right front panel 7, whichare joined together at an overlapping button hole panel 12 and buttonpanel 11. Stitching 12 a along the button hole panel 12 and stitching 11a along the button panel 11 holds together the two or more plies 7 a and7 b of fabric. The shirt 1 also has a back portion 1 b constructed of asingle ply of fabric.

Although opposing surface areas of the plies 7 a and 7 b are stitchedtogether along certain seams, are generally adjacent one another, andare in contact at their opposing faces, the plies 7 a and 7 b areotherwise continuously unbonded to each other along the surface areas oftheir opposing faces. The continuously unbonded plies 7 a and 7 bprovide an air space for additional protection to the wearer.Conventional plies that are continuously bonded or bonded over at leasta portion of one or more opposing faces, for example using flammableadhesives, rivets, or additional stitching, can create potentiallyunsafe conditions for the wearer. The continuously unbonded plies 7 aand 7 b provide the further advantage of an outer layer (ply 7 a) thatablates or peels away from the inner layer (ply 7 b) when exposed to athermal arc, thus removing the thermal energy from the shirt and thewearer.

The single ply of fabric of the back portion 1 b and sleeves 2 a and 2 bare preferably constructed of a fire resistant fabric. A “fire resistantfabric” in accordance with the present invention means that the fabricis not only generally fire or flame resistant, but also meets acceptedstandards applying to garments exposed to electric arcs or flash fires,like NFPA and ASTM standards. As used herein, a “fire resistant fabric”also has an ATPV of equal to or greater than 4.2 calories per squarecentimeter. Other fabrics commonly used for fashion and outerwearbearing some general degree of “flame resistance” (such as wool or silk,which are known in the art to be incapable of withstanding electric arcsor flash fires) are not “fire resistant fabrics” as the phrase is usedherein. Such fashion fabrics (as opposed to fire resistant fabrics forprotective clothing) are not suitable to construct the shirt accordingto the present invention.

In another embodiment of the shirt 1 in accordance with the presentinvention, the front portion 1 a is comprised of at least two unbondedplies 7 a and 7 b of fire resistant fabric. The bottom edges 9 and 10 ofthe top ply 7 a and bottom ply 7 b of the left and right front panels 8and 9 can be unstitched such that each ply 7 a and 7 b has an unfinishededge. This construction is especially applicable when the shirt 1 isconstructed from a fire resistant knit material, or another fireresistant material that is not prone to fraying. Optionally, ply 7 a canbe stitched or surged individually at its bottom edge 9 to form a hem ora finished edge. Likewise, and also optionally, ply 7 b can be stitchedor surged at its bottom edge 10 to form a hem or a finished edge.Alternatively, the top ply 7 a and the bottom ply 7 b can be stitchedtogether along the bottom edges 9 and 10 such that the plies 7 a and 7 bare joined to form a hem or a finished edge.

FIG. 2, which is a detailed view from the inside of the shirt 1 taken atpoint A of FIG. 1, illustrates the bottom ply 7 b and the top ply 7 aand how the plies 7 a and 7 b are folded and sewn at stitch line 11 a toform a button panel 11.

FIG. 3, which is a detailed view from the inside of the shirt 1 taken atpoint B of FIG. 1, illustrates the bottom ply 7 b and the top ply 7 aand how the plies 7 a and 7 b are folded in preparation for sewing. Abutton hole panel 12, is applied above the abutted edges of plies 7 aand 7 b, and sewn thereto along stitch lines 12 a. A strip 14 may beinserted within the button hole panel 11 to provide additional bulk andstrength, and can be sewn or otherwise bonded in place, and ispreferably fire resistant.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a shirt 15 in accordance withthe present invention. The shirt 15 has sleeves 16 a and 16 b, whichextend from armholes 17 a and 17 b. A collar 18 is formed above neckopening 19. Shoulder seams 20 a and 20 b extend from armholes 17 a and17 b to the neck opening 19. Front panel 22 is preferably constructedfrom two or more plies 22 a and 22 b (FIGS. 5 and 6) of a fire resistantknit fabric. The plies 22 a and 22 b are stitched together at the neckopening 19, the shoulder seams 20 a and 20 b, at a bottom edge 21 andaround the armholes 17 a and 17 b. The shirt optionally has a collaropening 23 comprising an overlapping button panel 23 a and button holepanel 23 b. The plies 22 a and 22 b are otherwise continuously unbondedabout their opposing surface areas. The sleeves 16 a and 16 b, as wellas a back panel 15 a are constructed of a single ply of fire resistantfabric. Optionally, ply 22 a can be stitched or surged individuallyalong the bottom edge 21 to form a hem or a finished edge. Alsooptionally, ply 22 b can be stitched or surged at the bottom edge 21 toform a hem or a finished edge. Alternatively, the ply 22 a and ply 22 bcan be stitched together along the bottom edge 21 such that the plies 22a and 22 b are joined to form a hem, a surged edge, or an unfinishededge.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the collar opening 23, taken at point A ofFIG. 4. The joining of top ply 22 a to bottom ply 22 b is illustrated.The top ply 22 a and bottom ply 22 b are sewn to the collar 18 as shownat stitch line 24.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the bottom edge 21, taken at point B ofFIG. 4. The joining of top ply 22 a to bottom ply 22 b is illustrated.The top ply 22 a and bottom ply 22 b are folded and sewn together alongstitch line 25 to form the bottom edge 21.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of a shirt 101 in accordance with thepresent invention. The shirt 101 comprises a front portion 101 a and aback portion 101 b constructed of a fire resistant material, and isshown with the interior facing outward. The shirt 101 further comprisessleeves 102 a and 102 b, which extend from armholes 103 a and 103 b.There is a collar 104 formed above the neck opening 105. Shoulder seams106 a and 106 b extend from armholes 103 a and 103 b to neck opening105. Left front panel 108 and right front panel 107 are constructed fromtwo-plies of fire resistant fabric of different length relative to eachother.

In one embodiment, the left and right front panels 108 and 107 eachcomprise a first ply 107 a and 108 a of fire resistant fabric extendingfrom the shoulder seams 106 a and 106 b of the left and right frontpanels 108 and 107 of the shirt 101 and having lengths that terminate atthe bottom edges 109 and 110 of the front portion 101 a of the shirt101. Second plies 107 b and 108 b of fire resistant fabric extend fromthe shoulder seams 106 a and 106 b of the left and right front panels108 and 107 of the shirt 101 and have a terminus 126 located between theshoulder seams 106 a and 106 b and the bottom edges 109 and 110 of thefront portion 101 a of the shirt 101.

In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 7, the terminus 126 ofthe second plies 107 b and 108 b of fire resistant fabric is locatedapproximately at or between one half and two-thirds of a distancemeasured from the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the front portion 101 a ofthe shirt 101 to the bottom of the arm holes 103 a and 103 b of the leftand right front panels 108 and 107 of the shirt 101. In anotherembodiment, the terminus 126 of the second plies 107 b and 108 b of fireresistant fabric is located approximately at or between one-quarter andthree-quarters of a distance measured from the bottom edges 109 and 110of the front portion 101 a of the shirt 101 to the bottom of the armholes 103 a and 103 b of the left and right front panels 108 and 107 ofthe shirt 101. In a preferred embodiment, the second plies 107 b and 108b have a terminus 126 located approximately at or between one-half andone-third of a distance measured from the bottom edges 109 and 110 ofthe front portion 101 a of the shirt 101 to the bottom of the arm holes103 a and 103 b of the left and right front panels 108 and 107 of theshirt 101. In another preferred embodiment, a two ply constructionextends from shoulder seams 106 a and 106 b to approximately the “beltline” of the shirt 101, and a single ply construction continues from theterminus 126 to the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the shirt 101. Thus, inthis embodiment, the two ply construction is primarily limited to aportion of the shirt 101 that is not typically tucked into a wearer'spants.

In some cases it may be desirable to provide two or more plies of fireresistant fabric in other areas. For example, the terminus 126 of thesecond plies 107 b and 108 b can be located approximately two-thirds ofthe distance from the bottom edges 109 and 110 of the front portion 101a of the shirt 101 to the bottom of the arm holes 103 a and 103 b of thefront portion 101 a of the shirt 101. As another example, the terminus126 of the second plies 107 b and 108 b can be located adjacent thebottom of the arm holes 103 a and 103 b of the front portion 101 a ofthe shirt 101 such that the portions of the shirt 101 that wouldtypically contact a female wearer's brassiere are provided withadditional protection. In a similar fashion, the sleeves 102 a and 102 bcan be constructed of one or more plies of fabric having differentrelative lengths.

The plies 107 a, 108 a, 107 b, and 108 b are stitched together at theneck opening 105, the shoulder seams 106 a and 106 b, and around thearmholes 103 a and 103 b. Optionally, first plies 107 a and 108 a can bestitched or surged along bottom edges 109 and 110 to form a hem or afinished edge. Also optionally, second plies 107 b and 108 b can bestitched or surged along a terminal edge 124 to form a hem or a finishededge, or can have an unfinished terminal edge 124 where the second plies107 b and 108 b are constructed of a fabric that is not prone to frayingor unraveling. Alternatively, plies 107 a and 107 b can be stitchedtogether along bottom edges 109 and 110 such that the plies 107 a and107 b are joined to form a hem or a finished edge. In this embodiment,the sleeves 102 a and 102 b, as well as the collar 104 and the backportion 101 b are constructed of a single ply of fire resistant fabric.The shirt 101 provides two or more plies of fire resistant fabric wherethe plies are needed fore safety in the left and right front panels 108and 107, and one ply of fire resistant fabric elsewhere.

In one embodiment, the left and right front panels 108 and 107 of theshirt 101 comprise top plies 107 a and 108 a and bottom plies 107 b and108 b of fire resistant fabric. The neck opening 105 is at the top ofthe front portion 101 a and a stitched hem or surged edge is along thebottom edges 109 and 110 of the shirt 101. The stitching around the neckopening 105 and along the bottom edges 109 and 110 holds together thetwo or more plies 107 a, 108 a, 107 b, and 108 b of fire resistantfabric, which are otherwise continuously unbonded. The left front panel108 and right front panel 107, are joined together by overlapping buttonhole panel 112 (not shown) and button panel 111. Stitching along thebutton hole panel 112 and button panel 111 holds together the two ormore plies 107 a, 108 a, 107 b, and 108 b of fabric, which can becontinuously unbonded. The back portion 101 b and the sleeves 102 a and102 b are constructed of a single ply of fire resistant fabric.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the shirt 201 in accordancewith the present invention. The shirt 201 is constructed of a fireresistant material, and comprises sleeves 202 a and 202 b, which extendfrom armholes 203 a and 203 b. A front portion 201 a of the shirt 201comprises left front panel 208 and right front panel 207, which areconstructed from two-plies of fire resistant fabric of different lengthsrelative to each other. The left and right front panels 208 and 207comprise first plies 207 a and 208 a of fire resistant fabric extendingfrom shoulder seams 206 a and 206 b of the left and right front panels208 and 207 of the shirt 201, and having a terminus at the bottom edges209 and 210 of the front portion 201 a of the shirt 201. Second plies207 b and 208 b (shown in phantom behind the first plies 207 a and 208a) of fire resistant fabric extend from the shoulder seams 206 a and 206b of the left and right front panels 208 and 207 of the shirt 201 andhave a terminus 226 (shown in phantom lines) located between the bottomof the arm holes 203 a and 203 b and the bottom edges 209 and 210 of thefront portion 201 a of the shirt 201. In this embodiment, and as anexample of the variable length of the second plies 107 b and 108 b, theterminus 226 of the second plies 207 b and 108 b of fire resistantfabric is located approximately one-third of a distance measured fromthe bottom edges 209 and 210 of the front portion 201 a of the shirt 201to the bottom of the arm holes 203 a and 203 b of the left and rightfront panels 208 and 207 of the shirt 201.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the shirt 301 in accordancewith the present invention. The shirt 301 has sleeves 316 a and 316 b,which extend from armholes 317 a and 317 b. There is a collar 318 formedabove the neck opening 319. Shoulder seams 320 a and 320 b extend fromthe armholes 317 a and 317 b to the neck opening 319. Front panel 322 isconstructed from two or more plies of a fire resistant fabric ofdifferent lengths relative to each other. The front panel 322 comprisesa first ply 322 a of fire resistant fabric extending from shoulder seams320 a and 320 b of the shirt 301 and having a length that terminates atthe bottom edge 321. Second ply 322 b (shown in phantom behind the firstply 322 a) of fire resistant fabric extends from the shoulder seams 320a and 320 b of the front panel 322 of the shirt 301 and has a terminus326 (shown in phantom lines) located between the bottom of the arm holes320 a and 320 b and the bottom edge 321. In this embodiment, and asanother example of the variable length of the second ply 322 b, theterminus 326 of the second ply 322 b of fire resistant fabric is locatedapproximately two-thirds of a distance measured from the bottom edge 321of the shirt 301 to the bottom of the arm holes 320 a and 320 b.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the shirt of the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modificationsand variations of this invention provided that they come within thescope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A fire resistant shirt having a front portion comprising two or moreplies of fire resistant fabric and a back portion constructed of one plyof fire resistant fabric.
 2. The shirt of claim 1, further comprisingsleeves constructed of fire resistant fabric.
 3. The shirt of claim 1,further comprising: a neck opening at the top of the front portion; abottom edge along the bottom of the front portion, and stitching aroundthe neck opening which holds together the two or more plies of fireresistant fabric.
 4. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the front portionfurther comprises: a left front panel and a right front panel joinedtogether by an overlapping button panel and button hole panel, andstitching along the button panel and button hole panel which holdstogether the two or more plies of fire resistant fabric.
 5. The shirt ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom edge comprises a stitched hem.
 6. The shirtof claim 1, wherein the two or more plies are continuously unbondedabout a surface area of opposing faces of the plies.
 7. The shirt ofclaim 2, wherein the sleeves comprise a single ply of fire resistantfabric.
 8. The shirt of claim 3, wherein the two or more plies arecontinuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of theplies.
 9. The shirt of claim 4, wherein the two or more plies arecontinuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of theplies.
 10. A fire resistant shirt having a front portion comprising twoor more plies of fire resistant fabric, wherein the front portionfurther comprises: a bottom edge; shoulder seams; two arm holes having abottom; a first ply with a length extending from the shoulder seams tothe bottom edge of the shirt, and a second ply with a length extendingfrom the shoulder seams to a terminus between the bottom edge of theshirt and the bottom of the two arm holes.
 11. The shirt of claim 10,further comprising: a back portion constructed of one ply of fireresistant fabric.
 12. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of thesecond ply is located approximately at or between two-thirds andone-third of a distance measured from the bottom edge to the bottom ofthe two arm holes.
 13. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus ofthe second ply is located approximately at or between three-quarters andone-quarter of a distance measured from the bottom edge to the bottom ofthe two arm holes.
 14. The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus ofthe second ply is located at approximately one-half of a distancemeasured from the bottom edge to the bottom of the two arm holes. 15.The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply is locatedapproximately at or between two-thirds and one-half of a distancemeasured from the bottom edge to the bottom of the two arm holes. 16.The shirt of claim 10, wherein the terminus of the second ply is locatedapproximately at or between one-half and one-third of a distancemeasured from the bottom edge to the bottom of the two arm holes. 17.The shirt of claim 10, wherein the first ply and the second ply arecontinuously unbonded about a surface area of opposing faces of thefirst and second plies.
 18. The shirt of claim 11, wherein the first plyand the second ply are continuously unbonded about a surface area ofopposing faces of the first and second plies.
 19. The shirt of claim 2,wherein the sleeves comprise a first ply and a second ply of fireresistant fabric, and wherein said first ply and second ply havedifferent lengths relative to each other.
 20. A torso-covering garmenthaving a front portion comprising: at least two plies of fire resistantfabric, each fire resistant fabric ply having an arc thermal performancevalue (ATPV) equal to or greater than 4.2 calories per squarecentimeter; a neck opening at the top of the front portion; a hem alongthe bottom of the front portion; stitching around the neck opening andalong the hem which holds together the two or more plies of fireresistant fabric, wherein the front portion further comprises a leftfront panel and a right front panel which are joined together by andoverlapping button hole panel and button panel, and stitching along thebutton hole panel and button panel which holds together the two or moreplies of fire resistant fabric.